For many NFL fans, the final preseason game is incredibly boring, but for the players in the game, it can be the difference between having a job or not for the season.
The Cuts
The aftermath of the final preseason game is always full of roster cuts to get down to the 53-player mark. Some of those players that were cut include Kourtnei Brown and EZ Nwachukwu. Fans remember Brown for his emotional moment on Hard Knocks where he received the game ball, but inconsistent play left him on the wrong side of the coaches’ marks. Nwachukwu may be brought back as a practice squad player.
Struggles On The Ground
Alfred Blue has been a solid option for the Texans on the ground after the loss of Arian Foster, but the depth past that isn’t too great. On 28 carries from Kenny Hilliard and Chris Polk, the 
Texans gained just 66 yards on the ground against the Cowboys, averaging 2.36 yards-per-carry.
While the Cowboys have certainly made improvements to their rush defense, it is by no means a stifling defense. Whether it’s just the backup backs or the offensive line, the running game needs some serious work in Houston.
Getting To The QB, But Not The RB
We already know that the main strength for the Texans this season will be their defense. It will look very different once the entire force of the defensive line is in play, but something was very odd in the game against the Cowboys.
Houston was able to sack the quarterback three times, but allowed 154 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. This isn’t a major cause for panic seeing as most of the starters didn’t play a single down in the game, but it does cause a slight eyebrow raise towards the backups for when they have to come in for different packages.
Charles James II Cut
One of the great success stories out of Houston this summer has been that of cornerback Charles James II. Undrafted three years ago, James has often talked about how hard you need to work to make a team as an undrafted free agent. Unfortunately that story has come to an end as the Texans released James.
James was nothing but appreciative of the opportunity he had in Houston, and had nothing but love for the coaching staff and the fans.
Well it’s been real Houston I appreciate all the people who became real fans of Charles James I appreciate the opportunity OB and the Texans
— Charles James II (@ShutDownCB1) September 5, 2015
Disappointing Drafts
’14 3rd round pick Louis Nix
With this last string of roster cuts, we have now seen seven of the 19 draft picks from the 2013 and 2014 drafts be cut from the Texans’ roster. There has been a decent amount of talent in these recent drafts, but the Texans seem to have missed out on that talent.
When close to half of your draft picks from two straight drafts are no longer on your roster within two years, you’ve got a problem in the draft room. There seems to be something that the coaching staff and scouts are missing in the drafts, especially in the later rounds.
Time For The Regular Season
The preseason and the training are done. Now it’s time to see what the Texans can do in the regular season. After a strong season last year where they fell just short of a playoff birth, expectations are higher than ever for this Texans team.
It doesn’t help that the possible team to beat in the AFC, Indianapolis, resides in the same division as Houston, but the talent and attitude is there. The Texans are a team poised for playoff contention. They open their season next Sunday at home against Kansas City.
